Telangana HC asks how ‘OG’ ticket price hike to Rs 800 benefits public; hearing set for Friday

Hyderabad: Regarding Pawan Kalyan’s OG movie ticket prices, the Telangana High Court on Thursday said that the Single Judge suspended the request for enhancing the ticket price to Rs 800 and permitting a benefit show without sending a notice to the film distributors.

The HC Division Bench said this did not give an opportunity to the distributor of the movie to argue before the court.

However, the Telangana High Court on Thursday deferred from directing an order to the Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department, who had filed the memo. It directed the Single Judge to hear the writ petition on Friday and pass appropriate orders.

The Telangana government had filed a request to increase the ticket prices to Rs 800 and permission for an exhibition show on September 24.

OG Distributor DVV Entertainments explains the benefits of increasing ticket prices

Avinash Desai, Senior Counsel appearing for the DVV Entertainments, the distributor of the movie “Ojas Ghambeera OG”, informed the court that the Single Judge has not issued a notice in the case. He said that crores of rupees have been put into the movie and on a representation to the Telangana government, seeking permission for a benefit show and enhancement of the price of the ticket to Rs 1,000.

“The government, considering the request, has accorded permission for an exhibition show and increased the price of the ticket to Rs 800, on which it will get 15 per cent GST on each ticket, which is a revenue to the Telangana Government,” the Senior Counsel said.

‘How is increasing ticket sales beneficial for the common public?’

Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili, after hearing the contention of the Senior Counsel for the distributor, said, “You have already sold the tickets up to October 4, at an enhanced price. Even if we stay this order, you are not going to get affected, but the moviegoers will be affected. This court does not see any public good in the action of the government in enhancing the ticket price to Rs 800.”

For this entire week, the coffers of the State Government will be filled up. How is it permissible? What is the benefit for common people if you are making a movie by investing Rs 1,000 crores? It is only beneficial for a couple of people. Why people should purchase a ticket for Rs 800, when it costs Rs 150,” the judge said.

By the above observations, the Division Bench expressed concern over the action of the Telangana government in supporting a private enterprise. However, it agreed with the contention of the petitioner that he was not put on notice before suspending the memo.

‘No movie ticket should be more than Rs 350’

Vijay Gopal, advocate and petitioner in the writ petition, vehemently opposed the contention of the petitioner and referred to the order of the Division Bench of this High Court, in which it gave a clear direction that the ticket price of any movie should not be more than Rs 350 and the State government was directed to adhere to this order.

In violation of this order, the State Government has permitted enhancement of the ticket price along with an exhibition show, he said.

The case was adjourned till Friday and will be placed before the Single Judge Bench of Justice NV Shravan Kumar.